Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Woohooo! 30 days of blogging for the month of November! I'm pretty proud of myself and all of you who participated too. What did you think? Too many doggy pictures? I definitely couldn't blog on a daily basis, but it did help me think a bit more creatively about posting. November was a month with obstacles that would normally prevent me from blogging (e.g., I was sick a lot, had secret knitting projects, busy holiday weekends), so it was interesting to see that I actually was able to come up with things to blog about.

In knitting news....

Tonight I finished one of the secret knitting projects and sent that off. Yay! That always feels good. It had a picot on it, if you recall (sidenote for my bestest friend in the whole wide world...the picot is the bumpy little things on the top of the sock).

I'm finishing up a new sock design for Kollage Yarns, using that pretty skein of Sock-a-licious. No matter what patterns or designs call to me (e.g., I'm dying to cast on a new shawlette design), when I'm knitting socks, everything seems right. I shall forever be a sock knitter.

I need to bust a move on my mystery sock design for the Sock Knitters Anonymous Mystery Sock KAL in January. My test knitters are ready. I am not. But I shall conquer that this weekend.

Did you see this? I'm so excited to be a part of Twisted's Shawlette Club (that's me designing in Jan. 2013)!! Look at that list of indie dyers and designers. I've gone back and forth about stopping all clubs for next year because I just can't keep up, but this club seriously makes me want to sign-up. For March's shipment alone with Tina's yarns and Debbi's awesome designs!

I'm going to TNNA in January! I will finally, finally get to hang out with Zonda!!!

I still haven't started Christmas knitting and Mom's birthday gift is still just one glove. How about you?

It has been such a popular pattern (look #68 in popular Cowls on Ravelry!) and I think almost anyone on your holiday gift list would enjoy one. Plus, you probably already have a gorgeous skein of sock yarn in your stash that you've been wanting to knit and it'll be perfect for this. I love the way Sheri shows the many ways to wear this too.

Perfect for the guy or gal on your list and will knit up quickly too! I'm still hoping to have time to knit another one of these.

And to sweeten the deal today, I have overstock of my Irishgirlieknits tote bags and thought I'd share a deal with you guys. For just $10, plus $2 for US shipping, you can have one! They make great project bags! These 100% cotton tote bags feature the Irish Girlie Knits Designs logo on them and measure 14 x 14 x 3.

If you are interested, email me at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com with your paypal info and I'll send you an invoice.

Any other cyber monday specials that you are taking advantage of today? Favorite etsy shops to share? I have just a few gifts left to purchase!

Happy Monday!
xoxo Irishgirlieknits

p.s. I still can't believe I've blogged every day so far in November! Crazy! Thanks for bearing with a few quick picture posts this past week with the busy holiday week :) It has been awesome catching up with those of you blogging every day too! And if you didn't participate in NaBloPoMo, go ahead and blog just once this week. Baby steps!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Every other year for the past fewyears, Notre Dame has played Stanford here in the bay area, just a few miles from my house, on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. And each year, our tradition of tailgating before the game and going to the game has become a bigger event. My brother goes all out in the hosting/setting up/coordinating department!

Here he is playing with the new ND bean bag toss.

Lil' Guy can already catch and throw a football pretty well for a four-year old.

Ah! Sticks, dirt and rocks! Perfect entertainment for Lil' Guy!

There was tons of food, but my favorite by far were these cupcakes my sister-in-law made! Too cute!

We had great seats and it is always awesome to watch and cheer for the Irish in person!

Yeah, it was a tough loss. And lil' guy was worn out from the torture of the Irish not playing too great.

This year we had another fabulous time, despite the sad loss. But I can't wait for 2013! Go Irish!! Hey, at least we made it to a bowl game! One more football game to look forward to!

Friday, November 25, 2011

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Monday, November 21, 2011

You stink. At least today you did. In addition to a crummy day at work, you had to top it off with the worst root canal experience I've ever had. That says a lot coming from a girl who has had a few and recognizes she is thoroughly freaked out by the dentist. I don't think I will ever, ever go to this endodontist again. I am blessed with the best dentist in the world, but due to the serious infection that I've been dealing with, she didn't feel comfortable doing it.

So instead of dealing with you anymore Monday, I am going to focus on two things.

First, pretty yarn.

Look at this pretty yarn that I got from Knitted Wit at Knitting Lab. It is just delicious!! Be careful, she has some gorgeous colors of Shine in the shop right now.

Second thing I'm focusing on: Tomorrow is Tuesday. Which means just two more days of working until lots of holiday fun AND tomorrow night is knit nite AND we are going to see this. You know it. Just wish Erica was here to go see it with us like last time.

Screw you Monday! Bring on Tuesday!

Love,
Irishgirlieknits aka the girl who is very glad for pain meds tonight

Then for fun, I wanted to make the pumpkin crunch cake Sheri from The Loopy Ewe posted on her blog this week. It looked very much like the recipe my sister uses to make a yummy pumpkin cake pie dessert, except my sister's recipe divides it between two pie pans. It takes the best part of pumpkin pie and adds cake instead of crust! Yum.

My photo doesn't do the recipe justice. Delish!! Thanks for sharing it Sheri.

Lots of exciting college football games today have meant lots of knitting time too. I have just a few more inches left to knit on my secret, picot-happy sock!

How has your weekend been? Hopefully nice and relaxing. On tomorrow's list is to finalize our shopping list for the cooking this week. Any favorite Thanksgiving recipe you guys want to share? You know I love new recipes.

Friday, November 18, 2011

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

My head is full. I'm tired. I'm so unbelievably excited that tomorrow is Friday, which means the weekend is almost here, and I feel good! And then next week is a very short week at work, followed by lots of family time for Thanksgiving weekend.

I'm really enjoying blogging every day. Partly because so many of us are blogging every day together. I love reading everyone's posts! In December, I hope to continue blogging more, but I'm also hoping that my Physical Therapist will give me and my knee the okay to perhaps do some type of exercise every day. I figure if I was able to set aside sometimes 10 minutes or 30 minutes or more for blogging, I can make time for exercise in December too. Nothing overly ambitious, but now that I am starting to feel a bit better, just adding a little more.

I'm hopeful that I will actually have a finished birthday gift for mom this year. Look, one down! And her birthday isn't until Dec. 16.

I just read Turtlegirl's post with her pretty Honey Badger socks and it made me smile :) Go look, they'll make you smile too. And they feature an awesome gusset modification.

I still haven't finished my Honey Badger socks.

But, I'm hoping to finish one of my new picot socks this weekend. I love that at least 10 of you admitted your love for picots too! Allison loves picots, but she also loves twisted stitches. I'll admit that gave me pause. Hmmm...I've always kind of not liked twisted stitches and sort of avoided them, but to be honest I'm not sure why. Should I give them another chance? Maybe... Actually, Allison has an awesome new design in current issue of Twist Collective that features just enough twisted stitches :) Pretty pretty!

I love that, just as my knitting friends expressed, some of you guys can't stand picots! That is going to please them to no end!

I finished reading Rachael Herron's new book, A Life in Stitches. I loved it. I want to give the book to my mom for her birthday too. Rachael's stories resonated with me and really captured why I love that I knit. Why I am a knitter. Why I can't imagine ever not knitting.

I'm reading (well, I'm on page 4?) the Hunger Games now. Disco just started the series, and it reminded me that it has been on my must-read list for awhile.

Speaking of books.....admit it...who already has their Breaking Dawn tickets??? I'm proud to say I'm not seeing it opening weekend, but my friends and I have plans to go see it Tuesday night after knit nite!! Yay! Cheesy vampire romance....I'll definitely bring my knitting to the movie I think :)

And now I'm going to go watch Bones, knit on my picot sock, and then go to bed.

But I still remember the moment when I made this discovery. It was a relaxing weekend at the coast with my bestest knitting friends and I was designing a new sock and I mumbled something about how I really wanted to put a picot on it, but wasn't sure. And then, almost immediately before they realized what they had done, there seemed to be a collective groan. Not one groan, but if I recall, a few. It may have been the sangria, but then their true confession came out.

"Not a picot!""Can't you just do a plain rib? Not everyone wants to do a picot!" "I hate picots."

The groans continued. I think I was shocked how much they seemed to dislike picots. Not my beloved picots. Probably the absolute favorite thing about some of my socks. My dear friends who had knit those Cotty socks, despite the picots, really, truly did not like picots.

I have to say, I'm glad they told me. Some of you may be very glad they told me. I know they are very, very glad they told me. Or else Capitola would have had a picot. And definitely the Honey Badgers would have had a picot. I mean seriously, go look at these pictures. Of course, honey badger needed a picot edge!

If your friends can't tell you like it is, who can, right? We still joke about the picots and my crazy love for them.

But they aren't going to knit this next pattern.

And I don't care. Because the second I cast on this picot, I was in love all over again :)

I'm curious....do you have a favorite knitting technique? One you despise? Are Gail and I the only ones crazy for picots?

Sunday, November 13, 2011

62. Bailey Boo not wanting to go downstairs in the morning because she is sitting on my tummy. Even when offered a treat, she doesn't want to leave. It kind of breaks my heart having to nudge her off. But then, I don't really want to get up to do that early walk, so I nudge her. Truth comes out.

63. These big, big eyes looking at me.

64. Doggie snuggles.

65. The way both Bailey and Puddles get so, so happy every time I open the door and come home. It is as if they haven't seen me in yearsssssss. Love love love.

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Time to bring back my gratitude journal. I'm really trying to focus on the positive things in my life right now, which means letting go of some of that negative energy. And that isn't always the easiest thing to do, if you know what I mean.

Things I am grateful for today:

56. Feeling better today, and that includes NOT needing a nap or pain medication for the first time in over a week!

57. Yummy treats at the farmer's market. I bought healthy food too, but these were prettier :)

Friday, November 11, 2011

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Here goes day 10 of nonstop-blogging. I really am enjoying reading everyone else's daily posts and it reminds me why I started this blog. To keep in touch with my knitting friends, despite their distance! And to meet new friends too!

Since I spent most of today sleeping (ugh! stupid tooth infection that was supposed to heal in a few days seems to be taking an eternity and hurts!!), I fear I don't have a lot of knitting to show. I have yarn I could show, but I've been having a hard time either being home or awake during the daylight hours with the time change. I'm definitely going to prep better this weekend!

There are a few fun things around the blogosphere that I did want to point out.

2. Sheri from The Loopy Ewe knit another Summer Wind because she so enjoyed knitting the first one! This post made me smile this week, even when it hurt to smile :) Plus, if you didn't know it, Sheri has a mini-Yarn Harlot effect! Both times that she has blogged about Summer Wind has given the pattern a nice bump in pattern sales. Thank you again Sheri!!

3. I mailed off a new design to Kollage Yarns this week. I used their new yarn Lofty, and boy do I love it! Perfect for those last minute holiday gifts.

4. Pinterest. I'm slowly figuring it out. What I can say is that this week it has me thinking all about the holidays....new recipes to try, new crafts to make. So inspiring. Any particular recipe/crafty thing/want for christmas gift that has you inspired for this holidays? I'd love to hear.

5. Tomorrow the last Harry Potter movie comes out on DVD! So excited for my copy to arrive tomorrow.

Recently, Disco asked me if I've enjoyed the more frequent blogging. If I wasn't sick, I'd have to say yes! Being sick has made it a bit challenging to have creative topics or things to share. However, I think it is also helping me to think a bit more about what else I can blog about. Sara blogged about some of her recent crafty book purchases. I've been meaning to do something like that. Disco, Mary-Heather and Tricia shared recipes. Another one that I could do. I also think I have a longtime post coming about lingering UFOs....

What about you guys? Are you enjoying blogging on a more regular basis? Any topics spark your interest or want to hear more about?

Tomorrow should be a fun day....we are going wedding dress shopping for my sister's wedding dress!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Saturday at Knitting Lab was spent hanging out with Lorajean of Knitted Wit. Her yarns are such bright, happy colors! I thought her booth was one of the ones that stood out in the Market Place. She has been carrying all of my patterns since Sock Summit, and it was so fun to help her customers who were purchasing my patterns pick out the yarn to go with them! She has lots of lovely samples knit up too, which makes it really easy to sell her yarn and my pattern :)

Here she is modeling Winter Wonder, in her gorgeous Silky N Plied yarn. The yarn is dreamy soft and drapey. Plus, she's offering IGK readers a special coupon code for 15% off her Silky N Plied, since it is perfect for Winter Wonder, one of the patterns for our Knitalong. Just enter the code: winter15 in her etsy shop for 15% off your Silky N Plied purchase. Thanks Lorajean!

And thank you to everyone who stopped by on Saturday! I had such a great time!

Lots of my local knitting friends stopped by and I really appreciated everyone's support. Betsy even came wearing her Summer Wind!

It was also nice to meet other knitters who came to the event, such as Audry. She even modeled her adorable giraffe hat pattern.

I love that my sister dragged brought her fiance to the event too. Aren't they cute?!

And that pretty basket of Plucky Knitter Primo, well there were only 3 or 4 skeins left after the evening! I came home with that gorgeous purple one in the back.

Thank you to everyone who came to the event, and especially to Saloni and Sudha from Nine Rubies for hosting us!

Fortunately, the horrible swelling of my mouth and cheek didn't happen til yesterday. Update on that, to spare you all the fabulous dentist details is that the dentist did a minor procedure today to get the swelling to go down. The fun part will be next week when there will be dental surgery once the swelling goes down. Still feeling awful, but she said it will take a few days for the antibiotics to help the swelling go down. Thank you guys for all the positive thoughts!

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Just a quick update tonight because I prefer not to write posts while on super-stronger-than-vicodin pain meds. I also prefer not to knit on those meds, so today has been mostly all about sleeping. Here's a quick rundown of how I spent my day today.

1. Slept in and so excited to have that extra hour of sleep since I was up every three hours to take pain meds and ice my face.
2. Woke up thinking perhaps the pain had gotten better, but then looked in the mirror and realized my entire left cheek and part of my mouth were swollen. Very different than prior head problem, and figured perhaps I should call my dentist, but called my doctor first.
3. Awesome doctor heard my symptoms and told me to meet him in the office in 40 minutes. On a Sunday. Bless his heart!
4. He thinks it may be some type of yucky dental infection, so prescribed antibiotic and stronger pain meds. Positive thing is that he doesn't think it is related to other head stuff.
5. Called my dentist and I have an appointment with her tomorrow afternoon.
6. Picked up meds and then slept for 5 hours.
7. Wondered what the dentist is going to do tomorrow since I can barely open my mouth it is so swollen. As in more swollen than after any root canal or gum surgery I have had.
8. This limited eating thing may do wonders for my diet this week :)
9. Ready to head back to bed.

No knitting though today. Thoroughly bummed. My vision of a lazy Sunday knitting on the couch didn't quite happen.
On the bright side, thank goodness I have awesome doctors who are so responsive. And hopefully the antibiotics will kick in tonight and my face won't be so swollen tomorrow.

And thank goodness this didn't happen Friday or Saturday! I would have been super bummed to miss the fun knitting events, which I promise to share details of hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

1. Supportive local yarn stores, such as Nine Rubies, who throw parties for local designers AND stock Plucky Knitter's gorgeous yarns. Well, stock it for as long as it can stay in the store, which isn't too long!

I'll share more pictures from last night's event, but that's for another post.

2. College football Saturdays, especially when the Irish win!

3. Reading blog posts from friends who are also trying to blog more in November. I love it! If you haven't already, go read....

Discoknits I am so proud of her karate chop!Goddess Knitters Fellow college football fan!Hizknits Missing Stephen this weekend as he is at the fabulous Knot Hysteria Retreat in Port LudlowKnittinggolfer's Blog Check out her pretty new sweater! Love!Rainy Day Goods It was Mary Heather's tweets that reminded me it was NaBloPoMo!One Stitch Short Sarah's tweets also reminded me that it was NaBloPoMo!WildpeculiarJoy I so want to escape to that lovely fantasy house right about now!A Day in the Life Manda is one of my fabulous test knitters! Can't wait til she shows us what she's knitting (hint, hint Manda!)!

5. An extra hour!! So excited that tomorrow we have an extra hour due to daylight savings! I'll admit, I desperately need that hour as the ongoing head/face pain I've been dealing with since September came back with a vengence last night. I've been taking pain meds and icing my head/face all day :( Hoping a good night's sleep and an extra hour will help me feel better tomorrow!

Friday, November 4, 2011

{this moment} A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, visit SouleMama leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Interweave Knitting Lab is in my backyard this weekend. Well, practically :) Although I didn't sign up for any classes, I am looking forward to just hanging out with my knitting friends!

Since it is being hosted at the hotel right next to my office building, I just had to stop by the market for a bit after work. Best part was hanging out for a bit with Rachel Herron, aka Yarnagogo, and author of How to Knit a Love Song (the first of the Cypress Hollow series) and A Life in Stitches (which I'm almost done with and loving!)! She was signing books in Knitted Wit's booth tonight.

Of course, I did have to admit to her that the fabulous spinning wheel she sold me last year, for $100, has been a bit neglected. But, I know I want to learn to spin because when she said I could pass it on to someone else, my immediate, without hesitation, response was no way! I just need to set aside some time to learn :)

I had so much fun that I'm even sharing this picture of us....in which you guys now see my hair at the end of a very long day...ugh! I picked up a copy of How to Knit a Love Song, but I didn't start it tonight. Lorajean said I wouldn't be able to put it down :)

Speaking of Lorajean, check out her gorgeous Dancette! If you're coming to Knitting Lab, stop by and see her gorgeous yarns, many of which are knit up in Irish Girlie Knits samples! She's carrying all my patterns if you're looking for one in particular. And be sure to stop by Saturday at Noon when I'll be hanging out with her for an IGK Meet and Greet!

Knitted Wit's booth is right across from Nine Rubies booth, one of my LYS. Their booth looked fabulous!

But I especially loved seeing the new Fyberspates yarn that they will be carrying. They are taking pre-orders at the show.....tempting!

A lot of fun for a short time in the market! Tomorrow is going to be fun! And if you can, I'd love to see you tomorrow night at Nine Rubies, at their store which is just a few miles from Knitting Lab, for their Local Designers Night.

Plus, they've been saving their shipment of The Plucky Knitter's Primo fingering just for this event!! Yay!!